FAQs

Hopefully you have found all the information you were looking for on our website, however, with so much on offer, we know you might have questions so we’ve tried to list some here to help you find answers.

If you still have something to ask, contact us and we’ll be happy to help.

All

Squash

Car Parking

Membership

Gym

Classes

Juniors

Events

How do I join?

If you’re interested in joining us, all applications must be completed in person and you’re required to book onto a tour/appointment with our sales team. The joining fee is currently £35.

*Please bring a valid form of Identification (Passport, Driving License, Birth certificate for any junior members). Any Alumni members are required to bring their valid graduation certificate.

If I join today, can I work out?

Yes, you’re able to begin using your membership as soon as you’ve signed up.

What discounts do you offer?

Over 60’s along with Staff, Students & Alumni of the University of Birmingham receive discounted membership rates.

How do I change my personal details?

For any payment changes, you can obtain a direct debit mandate from reception. Please allow 5 working days for any direct debit changes to take effect. Direct debits will be deducted on the 1st of every month, or the closest working day after. This date is fixed and cannot be amended.

How long is my membership?

We offer both monthly and annual memberships. The initial period for monthly memberships is three full calendar months. The initial period for annual memberships is 12 months.

Once outside of your initial period, you can downgrade your membership by filling in a ‘downgrade of membership form’ available from the clubs reception desk. One full months’ notice is required.

How do I end my flexible membership?

As long as you are outside your initial three full calendar month period, you can end your membership by giving at least one full calendar month’s notice. You can give notice by email to membership@sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk or through the Sport & Fitness reception. The membership team will notify you of when your final direct debit payment is due to be collected.

Please be aware that cancelling your direct debit, without giving notice, will not end your membership. If you cancel your direct debit before your final direct debit payment is collected, we may take steps to recover unpaid membership fees in accordance with our terms and conditions of membership.

Can I transfer my membership to anyone else?

No, memberships cannot be transferred under any circumstances and membership cards cannot be used by anyone other than the membership holder.

Can I suspend my membership?

Suspending membership enables members to freeze their membership for periods when they are away. Members must give one full calendar month’s notice and there is a minimum period of two calendar months for suspending the membership. There is an overall a charge of 25% on your membership fee.

Who is controlling the car park?

Our internal system will control the car park. It will have CCTV, and will also be patrolled by UKPC.

What happens between now and then?

Community members are still able to park outside the Munrow centre for free if they swipe out before 9.30am and after 4.30pm, and free on weekends.

I am a staff member, who is also a member of a community club do I get community rate car parking?

No, all staff still have the campus provision for parking.

I am a staff member, and my partner is a linked member can they park at Sport & Fitness?

Founder members that are paying for linked members are paying current staff rates, but will also have access to the car park.

If your partner has their own membership (community rate) they will have access to the car park.

I am a member of staff; can I purchase a community membership to gain access to the carpark?

You are able to upgrade your membership if you wish yes, but you will also lose the benefit of paying through payroll.

Where can I read the full terms and conditions?

Full terms and conditions in relation to the use of this car park will be shown at Sport and Fitness’ website and on the display board in the car park.

Where can staff park?

Staff members are advised to park on the campus car parks.

When do the charges apply?

The charges apply at all times Sport & Fitness car park is open.

When does the car park close?

The new Sport & Fitness car park is locked each night at 11pm on weekdays and 9pm at weekends. Overnight parking isn’t permitted.

What are the charges for non-community members?

Standard charges will apply to non-members, university staff, students, and visitors.

Up to 1.5hrs – £2

1.5 – 2.5hrs – £10

2.5 – 3.5hrs – £15

3.5 – 4.5hrs – £20

4.5 hrs plus – £25

How much will it cost after 3hrs?

Community user charges:

Up to 3hrs – Free

3 – 4hrs – £2

4 -6hrs – £5

6 hrs plus – £10

I am interested in joining; can I park whilst I take a look around?

If you’ve come in for an appointment with our membership sales team, we are able to validate your parking ticket at reception after you have attended.

Where can I park if I have my children with me?

Swimming lesson users (whether parents are community, staff or students) are able to park in the Sport & Fitness car park during the period of the swim lesson; your child’s card will have car park access included for an allotted amount of time around their swimming lesson. This is the only exception for staff or students parking in the Sport & Fitness car park.

Why has car parking been changed?

The car park policy hasn’t been changed. It was in some cases wrongly communicated initially. The car park was always intended to service community use, and part of the original investment proposal to the University to enable community users to access Sport & Fitness. Staff are able to park elsewhere on campus, where there are over 2,600 parking spaces compared with only 280 spaces in the sports centre car park.

What are the peak times?

Sport & Fitness Squash Peak times

Weekday

11:20 – 13:40, 16:00 – 21:20

Weekends

All off-peak

General Sport & Fitness Peak times

Weekday

11:30 – 13:30, 15:30 – 20:00

Saturday

8:30 – 13:00

I have an off-peak membership, what is the latest I can enter?

Off peak members must ensure they have entered at least 20 minutes before off-peak time ends.

If I have a gym membership can I pay to use the swimming pool, sauna or steam room?

Access to any of the above would require a current swim membership.

How do I provide feedback about my membership experience?

We treat all people who make complaints with respect, and expect respect for the staff who deal with complaints. All feedback is recorded in a way that can be analysed in order to improve services in both the short and the long term.

If you have a complaint, comment or concern, discuss this with a member of staff. After speaking to a member of staff, if you are still not happy you can follow the complaints procedure below:
• Email your complaint to the Duty Manager at feedback@sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk
• We will aim to acknowledge your complaint in writing within two working days.
• We will aim to settle your complaint within 10 working days. If you are not satisfied with our response to your complaint, you can follow the appeals procedure below:
• Email your complaint to the Senior Management Team at management@sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk
• We will aim to acknowledge your appeal in writing within two working days.
• We will aim to give a final response to your appeal within ten working days.

The Senior Management Team’s decision is final.

How do I access the gym?

To enter the gym you will need to use your membership card to swipe in.

What time does the gym open and close?

The gym is open from 6am – 10.30pm on weekdays and 7am – 8pm on weekends.

I have used a gym before, do I still need to do an induction?

We recommend everyone has an induction before using the gym so we can show you how to get the most out of our equipment, the interactive screens and how to use the Technogym Wellness app if you have a smartphone.

Can I cancel a class?

Yes, you can cancel a booked class up to one hour before the start time. The class will be added back into your account to use at another time.

If you need to cancel a class, select the trash symbol next to your booking up to 1 hour in advance. If you used a voucher, this will be re-credited to your account.

If you do not cancel, this is considered a no-show. A strike is applied to your account, if 3 are recorded in a 12 month period, your booking privileges will be frozen.

Do I need to book?

We recommend you book your classes to ensure a space is reserved for you as some classes get full quickly.

How far in advance can I book classes?

Inclusive members can book classes 14 days in advance, Pay and Go users can book 7 days in advance.

Are classes included in my membership?

Only if you have an inclusive membership. All other members can add classes to their account using Pay and Go Classes

Can junior members use the gym?

No, we currently do not provide gym sessions for members under 18.

Who can attend a junior class?

Anyone who holds a current junior membership at UB Sport & Fitness. A junior member must be ‘linked’ to an adult who holds a current membership at UB Sport & Fitness.

Can a junior attend a class on their own?

Juniors between the age of 0-4 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times, including during classes. Juniors between the ages of 5-13 must be signed in/out of classes by a parent/guardian (it is also required that parent/guardian remains on the premises at all times in case of an emergency).

Juniors between the ages of 14-17 can attend a class without an adult and are not required to sign in and out.

How do I book a junior class?

In the same way that adults book classes, juniors have an individual account which can be accessed (usually via their parent/guardian’s email address) with their own unique PIN.

Junior classes are bookable using vouchers.

Vouchers can be purchased singular or in bundles of 10, 20, 40 and 60. Once the parent/guardian has purchased a voucher on the junior’s account, they can book classes online, at reception or using the kiosk.

How do juniors sign in and out of a class?

A signing in/out sheet will be made available for each class. All attendees should present a class ticket to the instructor before the start of the class.

For ages 5-13, the parent/guardian will need to complete the signing-in sheet when they drop their child off and also sign out upon collection of the child.

I am hosting an event at Sport & Fitness, will you provide equipment?

We have a wide range of sports equipment, tables, chairs and PA systems. If you have a special request, please include it in your facility hire form and we will try to accommodate you. Additional equipment may come at a cost.

Is photography / video allowed at your events?

Yes, amateur photography and video is allowed at events unless otherwise stated when purchasing tickets. If you would like to apply for professional photography accreditation for an event, please send your request to events@sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk.

Is there food and drink available at events?

Yes, every event is different, some will have dedicated catering facilities otherwise there is an onsite Costa which is open from 8am – 10pm on weekdays and 8am – 8pm on weekends.

I am in a wheelchair, is there wheelchair space in the spectator areas?

Yes, we can accommodate wheelchair users at all our events, however, as each event is set up differently, the location of wheelchair seating will change. Please contact events@sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk to find out about access to a specific event.

Climbing Taster Sessions

Discover a new dimension to keeping fit with the 10m climbing wall at Sport & Fitness.